1. Coming to adulteration, my husband had gone to grind some Sambhar powder and he saw a man
grinding some 50 kgs of turmeric. The man added atleast 20 kgs of cheap quality rice and 10 small
bottles of some chemical that gave the turmeric powder a rich yellow color. He was shocked but there
was more to come. The same man ground a very poor quality of throw away red chillies and again
added a chemical that gave it a bright red color. The laborer who did the grinding confided to my
husband that this was a regular practise but could not tell him what chemical was being added and
whether it was safe for human consumption. He paid the man extra money to clean up the machine
before putting our stuff into it. I wonder if all the branded masalas in attractive colours are prepared
this way. Luckily or unluckily my husband does not like the packaged masala availble in the market
and we prepare our own. I would not know if pepper corns and papaya seeds were mixed but at least I
see to it that no chemicals are added to our masala. Nowadays he packs masala and gives it among
friends for a nominal price and even without any advertisement I notice that the masalas are in great
demand even though some products are a little costlier because he does not buy at wholesale rates and
is therefore not cost efficient.
I seem to be drifting from one topic to another. But I do feel like talking about all such problems that
are hazardous to the physical and mental health of society. The front page of any newspaper contains
all kinds of negative reports. Swine flu seems to be spreading in most places. I hope each one of you
and all your friends and relatives are taking utmost precaution. Those with little children should be
extra careful not to take them to crowded places.
I can go on and on. But let me sign off with a story.
A woman went to the doctor and said that she wanted to reduce her weight. The doctor asked her to go
for brisk walks in the morning and she refused saying that she had arthritis and could not take the risk.
More over she was prone to cold and cough and the chill morning weather would aggravate the
problem.
He asked her to exercise at home using the tread mill or stepper. She refused saying that her enlarged
heart which would pop out if she over strained it.
He asked her to do aerobics at home. She vetoed the idea saying that the marble floor in her bedroom
may cause her to slip and fall.
In a similar vein she rejected every suggestion made by the doctor. She could not survive on a high
protein diet since she had gas problem, boiled vegetables were out because she hated bland food etc.
etc.....
Finally after exhausting every possible solution the doctor said-
"Sit on a comfortable sofa right in front of the TV, take a remote in your hand, surf channels and watch
TV all day."
She said -
"That is exactly what I do and my weight keeps
